Current and Past Arti Gras Participants!

Friday June 15

Albert Frank Perrone | Friday 2:00pm ​​​

Albert's music is powerful in the singer songwriting tradition. Described as "the thinking man's musician," his songs range from emotion packed stories to whimsical toe tapping ditties. He takes inspiration from a long list of musical greats such as: Andres Segovia, Julian Bream, Bud Powell, Doc Watson, Gordon Lightfoot, Tire Kingston Trio, James Taylor, Pete Seeger, John Prine, and his older brother, Ron Perrone. His musical craftsmanship is admired by many. There is no mistaking the warm connection between Albert Frank Perrone and his audience. There are always smiles and laughter, as well as a few tears. No one else sings or plays an electric classical guitar quite like him.

Makenna Hope| Friday 5:00 pm

Makenna Hope is local from St. Albans, and is proud to be a West Virginia country girl who loves God and family. She currently sings at various talent shows, fairs, festivals and restaurants, with apperances on Nashville Spotlight and CMA MusicFest in 2016.

Instructions from Janine LeClair of Music Row Voice in Nashville, and guitar lessons fron Ron Sowell in Charleston, is helping her refine her talent.

I have been inspired by many amazing singers including Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and

Reba McIntyre.

Tim & Stephen Jones | Friday 6:00pm

Tim & Stephen JonesTim has been involved in the local music scene for 30 some years as a lead guitarist and, vocalist for numerous groups playing various styles from Country, to Classic rock, to Soul and Motown genres. Tim has performed at such venues as St. Albans Artigras, & Riverfest, South Charleston Summerfest, and early Mountain Stage.

Stephen is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association. He has won first place in the 2017 Putnam's Got Talent competition, and numerous best male vocalist awards as a featured soloist. Not only a strong vocalist, and guitarist, he also plays piano, ukulele, drums and percussion. This father and son duo, brings originality to cover songs along with originals, with their unique brand of bringing a fun musical experience for all ages and tastes.

Blues Crossing | Friday 7:00pm

Ray Hensley and Michael Lyzenga have been playing and recording original music together as Blues Crossing since 2004, mainly the blues with a touch of Americana and rock thrown in. Over the years they have played in numerous blues competitions, benefits, fundraisers, and various other gigs throughout the tristate region and are regulars at festivals and events hosted on Main Street St. Albans. Influences include Stevie Ray, Clapton, Floyd, James Taylor, Neil Young, Jonny Lang, Buddy Guy, Mark Knopfler, Tool, Son House, Chris Sutton.

Fire Performers, Cari Stone and Kristen Butcher from the Fire Artists of the Kanawha Valley have performed in several states at several events.

Kristen is a Charleston native currently living in Ohio has been spinning for several years with the lighted poi, staff, and some new toys she is currently working on. She has spun with Alex Grey and donated time for various fundraisers in the community.

Cari is a Charleston native who enjoys spinning the staff, fire fans, and palm torches with some dabbling in contact fire activities. She can also be seen around the great state of WV as various character roles in costume, including Twinkle the Gypsy Fairy.

Together, these woman take strength and artistic creations in spinning fire together and can be seen from time to time on the Levee in Charleston on any given night having fun and trying new moves.

Arti Gras Young Persons Art Contest

The Second Annual Young Persons Art Contest will be open for display featuring art works from Kanawha County students Elemetary through High school during banking hours at CITI NATIONAL BANK in Saint Albans starting Thurs, Sept 28th-Sat Sept 30th. In addition, see the display during Arti Gras from 5-7:30 featuring the music of Plus One!

Artist: Brenda Kincaid Beatty
Watercolor - Limited edition archival reproduction
The reference for the painting is taken from a photograph from the Lincoln County farm of Dr. James Brimhall, faculty member and VP of then WV State College.

Vase in Blue

Artist: Brenda Kincaid Beatty
Original Acrylic on canvas
Painted from still life at now closed Museum in Community Putnam County WV

When Cold Comes

Artist: DA Brown

Hosta Salad

Artist: Brenda Kincaid Beatty
The reference for this painting is the well-tended garden in front of the Saint Albans Library

Featured Artists

Featured Musicians and Entertainment

Blues Crossing

Robin Kessinger

Robin is repeat winner of National Flat Pick Guitar Championship.

A native-born living West Virginia flat pick guitar legend, Robin Kessinger keeps a busy schedule, teaching both beginner and advanced guitar students, and still finds time for memorable concerts, workshops and contests.

His awards include the 1985 National Flatpick Championship at Winfield, Kansas; the 1989 and 1990 Galax, Virginia, Best Performer championship; and firsts in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Georgia. Robin headlines many festivals and judges up-and-coming flat-pick artists in contests around the country. He has appeared on PBS and BBC television specials and NPR radio shows. He has been an instructor at the Augusta since 1983. Robin lists his influences as "everything I listen to"; his father, Bob; and his great uncle, fiddler Clark Kessinger.

Cari Stone

Cari is no stranger to the theater with dancing, singing, and acting to her credit since a small child. She considers herself a “trans-dancer” in that she has studied under many teachers in different genres and just plain loves to make people smile. In her off work time, she leads workshops on Liturgical Dance with adults and youth, plays in a performing World Drumming group called “Circle of Sound” and spins fire.

Cari’s “day job” is with the WV Division of Rehabilitation Services as a Rehabilitation Program Specialist. When she is not at her day job, Cari can be found frolicking as Twinkle the Gypsy Fairy, spinning fire toys out and about town, and enjoying nature.

Susan Hughart

Susan Hughart, a WV native, has been a student of dance for many years starting with ballet, tap, jazz and baton with Connie Picozzi at the age of 3.

Fast forward many years and after marrying the love of her life and having two children, Susan rediscovered her love of dance after seeing a beautiful dancer perform tribal fusion bellydance at a street fair.

Susan has been studying and teaching several styles of international dance since 2004. She is an award winning professional belly dance artist, winning awards in both recorded and live music categories.